Bonded sows fighting?

G

goldencolouredskies

New Born Pup
Joined
May 26, 2024
Messages
24
Reaction score
37
Points
140
Location
Australia
My two pigs have started having scuffles. Penelope is 10 months old, Fizzy is...around 4-5? We don't know her exact age. The two have been together since Penelope was 3 weeks old and have never had any problems.

But I've noticed Fizzy chasing Penelope around the cage while Penelope lets out really unhappy squeals, and upon inspection, I've found bloody nips on Penelope's rear. They're not huge bites, and I can't get photos easily because Penelope is a texel/rex with more fur than manners and she's wiggly. There's definitely blood and I think some scabbing, too.

I'm inclined to believe Fizzy caused these bites, due to the fact that I've seen Penelope fleeing from her so often. There's not huge quantities of blood, but she's definitely had the skin broken.

Is there any way to mend this, or are the two of them sufficiently broken up?
 
goldencolouredskies said:
My two pigs have started having scuffles. Penelope is 10 months old, Fizzy is...around 4-5? We don't know her exact age. The two have been together since Penelope was 3 weeks old and have never had any problems.

But I've noticed Fizzy chasing Penelope around the cage while Penelope lets out really unhappy squeals, and upon inspection, I've found bloody nips on Penelope's rear. They're not huge bites, and I can't get photos easily because Penelope is a texel/rex with more fur than manners and she's wiggly. There's definitely blood and I think some scabbing, too.

I'm inclined to believe Fizzy caused these bites, due to the fact that I've seen Penelope fleeing from her so often. There's not huge quantities of blood, but she's definitely had the skin broken.

Is there any way to mend this, or are the two of them sufficiently broken up?
Click to expand...
That really doesn’t sound good. Do they normally chase etc..That really doesn’t sound good. Do they normally chase etc… during season?
 
Perhaps have Fizzy checked by a vet maybe she is feeling unwell and therefore not tolerating Penelope as usual? 🤔
 
goldencolouredskies said:
My two pigs have started having scuffles. Penelope is 10 months old, Fizzy is...around 4-5? We don't know her exact age. The two have been together since Penelope was 3 weeks old and have never had any problems.

But I've noticed Fizzy chasing Penelope around the cage while Penelope lets out really unhappy squeals, and upon inspection, I've found bloody nips on Penelope's rear. They're not huge bites, and I can't get photos easily because Penelope is a texel/rex with more fur than manners and she's wiggly. There's definitely blood and I think some scabbing, too.

I'm inclined to believe Fizzy caused these bites, due to the fact that I've seen Penelope fleeing from her so often. There's not huge quantities of blood, but she's definitely had the skin broken.

Is there any way to mend this, or are the two of them sufficiently broken up?
Click to expand...

Hi

Please have Fizzy vet checked for ovarian cysts. They can unfortunately occasionally lead to fall-outs in sows. Bites on the ears are dominance behaviour that has gone overboard and crossed the line of the acceptable.
Some cystic sows can turn themselves into a 'group of one' and prefer to have their own territory from there on in. :(

Here is some information on ovarian cysts in guinea pig sows:
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including mounting and ovarian cysts)

Please put a divider in the cage for two days and then stage a meeting on neutral ground outside the cage to check whether the bond is still viable or not. If tensions and hostile behaviours are showing up pretty quickly again, then the bond is unfortunately no longer viable.
More practical how to tips and advice for assessing whether a bond is still working or not:
Bonds In Trouble

A - Z of Guinea Pig Behaviours
 
Wiebke said:
Hi

Please have Fizzy vet checked for ovarian cysts. They can unfortunately occasionally lead to fall-outs in sows. Bites on the ears are dominance behaviour that has gone overboard and crossed the line of the acceptable.
Some cystic sows can turn themselves into a 'group of one' and prefer to have their own territory from there on in. :(

Here is some information on ovarian cysts in guinea pig sows:
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including mounting and ovarian cysts)

Please put a divider in the cage for two days and then stage a meeting on neutral ground outside the cage to check whether the bond is still viable or not. If tensions and hostile behaviours are showing up pretty quickly again, then the bond is unfortunately no longer viable.
More practical how to tips and advice for assessing whether a bond is still working or not:
Bonds In Trouble

A - Z of Guinea Pig Behaviours
Click to expand...
Fizzy and Penelope both had a vet visit today, no lumps were felt and nothing seemed amiss. Penelope's wounds aren't infected either. There's the possibility of a scan being done in the future though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top